It's Free Agent Frenzy day in the NHL, and as the dust begins to settle on the 50 signings made around the league, or beloved Red Wings got busy early.
It started with a shocker before the 12 o'clock shotgun start, as it was announced that Mr. Senator Daniel Alfredsson would leave his home of 18 years and sign with the Detroit Red Wings.
Ummm wow?
But the Wings weren't done yet, signing their top need and target Stephen Weiss, centerman from the Florida Panters. That deal was 5 years, $4.9ish million, much better than the advertised $6 mill initial price tag.
These two moves, coupled with the youth movement and the pieces already in place, make this team a dangerous team coming to the East. I eagerly await to see these two new pieces on the ice.
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Alferdsson is going to be a sexy line.
Alfredsson, despite being 40, is still a good player. In Ottawa, he had to do everything, in Detroit, all he'll have to do is score, and he will. Plus being a right-hander on this roster will open things up for him to score.
Weiss provides much needed insurance for Babcock at center. The problem with Filppula is he never could stabilize the second line center spot, and hence Pav and Z would have to get split up.
That won't happen with Weiss. He's a better playmaker and a solid two-way guy. 5 years is a long time, but the Wings won't regret this move.
The Red Wings aren't done. Expect players to be moved, possibly for picks, or even a handful of forwards for a defenseman. That would be ideal but highly unlikely. Pieces like Samuelson, Tootoo, Emmerton could be shipped for picks. A guy like Tatar could be moved in a deal for a big named defenseman, (he was offered along with Brendon Smith for Edler before Edler's no-trade clause kicked in)
So far so good on the Red Wings front. Fans should feel good right now, especially because Alfie's decision to leave Ottawa to come here is a ringing endorsement that we are, in the eyes of players, the eyes that matter, once again... Cup Contenders.
Happy Free Agent Day y'all
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